octo

Bulgari Gerald Genta Octo Grand Sonnerie Tourbillon Watch

I can't wait to see the whole line of new Bulgari version Gerald Genta watches at Basel. To explain what I mean by Bulgari Gerald Genta watches read here. One of the higher-end high-end watch will be this new Octo Grand Sonnerie Tourbillon. This is going to be one very expensive watch, though the dial is surprisingly simple - at least compared to the last watch that I believe had the same, or slightly different movement. That was the Gerald Genta Arena Metasonic watch that goes for $900,000. Given the almost identical features between the two watches, it is more than likely that they share movements. Small differences involve the display of the time, and the dials on the dial. Bulgari gave this Octo Grand Sonnerie a retrograde hour dial and the minutes on a disc. Looks cool, but might prove a pain to read. Then you have four subdials on the face that look like automobile gauges (purposefully done that way). These include power reserve indicators for the watch and the sonnerie (chiming mechanism). Whether you have a grand or petite ("little" as seen on this dial) sonnerie (sort of a volume control), as well as a "chimes" or "silence" indicator (basically an on or off function for the sonnerie).

You have to admit this this is one of the most logical, user friendly dials that you've ever seen a grand (grande) sonnerie watch. The other side of the 43mm wide 18k white gold watch case (not visible in this dial) liked has a series of pushers (or alike) on it. This is a pretty neat looking watch in the Octo watch line with lots of nice details and an open caseback that is sure to reveal the ultra complex manually wound mechanical watch movement. Price will easily be in the astronomical range, and no doubt that this watch will be part of a very limited edition.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, Bulgari, Bvlgari, Gerald Genta, GeraldGenta, Grand Sonnerie, GrandSonnerie, Octo, watch

Gerald Genta Octo Sunray Tourbillon Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This watch from master watch designer (and maker) Gerald Genta looks like a really high class art deco gambling table right? This is the Octo (for the type of case) Sunray Tourbillon, and boy does it shine. The combination of industrial design with luxury appointments makes it the Gerald Genta flagship watch of 2009 (at least so far). While it seems larger, the 42.5mm wide yellow gold case holds the caliber GG9051 tourbillon movement (with a power reserve of 64) hours. This gold look is not the only version of the Sunray watch available. There is also a tri-composite, platinum, or gold with tantalum insert case available. The latter actually has a white gold and red laquer dial that should look great. The alligator strap is very wide between the lugs, and the entire look of this watch is quite 'regal' if I may use the term. Don't miss the fact that the dial has retrograde hours (that jumps over the tourbillon as to not hinder the view), with a standard minute hand. Price will certainly be at least around $80,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: gerald genta, GeraldGenta, octo, sunray, timepiece, tourbillon, watch

Gerald Genta Octo Place de l'Etoile Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

At 39mm wide in size the Octo Place de l'Etoile by Gerald Genta is a large watch for a woman. That's OK because this bold women's watch is about making a statement with its 18k red gold case, purple tone (mauve) enamel and strap, and diamond decoration. Gerald Genta's signature complication is a retrograde minute hand, usually with a jumping hour indicator aperture. While the dial is round, the minute hand only travels across the top half of the dial starting at "zero" and then moving to "sixty." Once the hand reaches "sixty,"it jumps back to "zero" instantly. The off-center hour window is well placed assisting with the "perspective" design of the watch. Powering these complications is an automatic mechanical movement.

Using their famous Octo case, Gerald Genta offers this watch as a tribute to the famous Place de l'Etoile in Paris (also know as the Place de Charles du Gaulle). If you aren't familiar with the name, this is the popular roundabout in Paris where twelve major streets converge including the west end of the Champs Elysees. In the center of the Place de'Etoile lays the Arc de Triumph. I see the design of the watch dial as being a snapshot of three roads converging into the Place de l'eEtoile if seen from a bird's eye view.

Gerald Genta places its knobbed crown with cabochon setting into the Octo case solidifying that this is undoubtedly a Gerald Genta watch despite the lack of branding on the dial. 199 diamonds decorate the dial and bezel making this a a true jewelry watch. In addition to the red gold case with purple Aqualino (variety of snake) leather strap, the watch is also available in 18k white gold, with black enamel and a black snake leather strap for those who prefer a more traditional look.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: gerald genta, GeraldGenta, octo, Octo Place de lEtoile Watch, OctoPlaceDeLetoileWatch, timepiece, watch